Fillings, crowns, & bridges in Florida

Our teeth sometimes let us know when they have a problem, don’t they? The changes might be subtle, showing a white, yellow, brown, or black spot on the enamel – or maybe one whole tooth is discolored.

Other times, they’re more insistent. Maybe you’ve noticed sensitivity in a tooth or a few teeth when you’re trying to enjoy hot, cold, or sweet foods or beverages. Or perhaps you feel a sharp pain when you bite into particular foods or chew on certain teeth.

We understand that people often are nervous about visiting a dentist, but dental pain and discomfort especially should not be ignored. If not identified and repaired, what seems like small tooth problems can lead to bigger problems, such as losing one or more teeth. This affects not only your smile, how you speak, and what you eat but also can cause your surrounding teeth to shift out of position, impacting your bite and triggering other problems.

Don’t worry: Our dentists in Florida can address these issues and work with you to restore your healthy smile.

Dental Fillings

As we age, our natural teeth become vulnerable to cavities. You might have thought your days of fillings were over once you reached adulthood, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta says that more than 90 percent of Americans have had a cavity. What’s more, the CDC notes that 1 in 4 adults has cavities that are untreated.

Aside from the greater damage that tooth decay can cause, untreated cavities just make you miserable. The pain can affect your demeanor, along with your ability to eat, sleep, and concentrate.

The good news is, dental fillings have come a long way since the days when healthy tooth enamel had to be drilled away to make room for those silver-colored fillings. Dental fillings now are one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to repair a teeth damaged by decay.

Our dentists in Florida will remove only the decayed area of your tooth and fill it with a tooth-colored material called a composite filling. Composite fillings look natural, resist fracture, and chemically bond to your tooth, actually making it stronger.

What Is a Tooth Crown?

Dental fillings are preferred when tooth decay has affected just a small part of a tooth. If your tooth is severely damaged or decayed to the point that not enough healthy enamel remains to attach a filling, you might need a crown.

A dental crown acts as a cap for your tooth. It’s made of dental porcelain that matches the shape, color, translucency, and feel of your other teeth. It completely covers a damaged tooth down to the gums, strengthening the underlying tooth and restoring its normal function.

The Dental Crown Procedure

Crowning or capping a tooth usually takes two visits. First, our dentist in Florida will prepare the tooth to fit inside the crown. Sometimes the dentist might need to remove some exterior enamel (at least 2 mm), or build up the interior of the tooth with filling material to support the crown if you have little natural tooth left.

But once the tooth is prepared, the dentist will create a mold or impression of your tooth for a custom fit to send to the dental lab. Before you leave, the dentist will attach a temporary crown to your tooth to protect it until your next appointment, when the permanent crown will be adhered in place. Once attached, crowns are meant to be permanent.

What Is a Dental Bridge?

Both crowns and fillings are good options to repair and restore damaged teeth. But if your tooth needs to be extracted, or if one of your teeth is already missing, you can fill that space with a dental bridge to reestablish your smile and your bite.

The Dental Bridge Procedure

A dental bridge is like a partial denture in that it replaces missing teeth. But unlike a removable partial denture, a dental bridge remains permanently in your mouth, like a crown. Actually, a bridge is made of two crowns that fit over the healthy teeth on either side of your missing tooth. These crowns attach to an artificial tooth called a pontic, crafted from the same dental material as a crown. The pontic fills in the gap, supported by the crowns.

Bridges can be created in various lengths, depending on your needs. A three-unit bridge (two crowns and one pontic) can replace one missing tooth. Two missing teeth might need a four-unit bridge (two crowns and two pontics).

If you have additional questions about dental bridges or crowns, our helpful offices Florida are glad to schedule an appointment for you.